online extra: Life-saving tips in the fight against domestic violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and although it hasn't been a prominent feature in recent headlines, domestic violence still exists in the homes of many throughout the community. Every October, the purple comes out, newspapers make mention of stories of survival and local organizations supporting the cause, social media displays pictures of abused women with some "End Domestic Violence" slogan, but rarely is there any information for victims beside a hotline number.

As a survivor and a victims advocate, I know victims need more than hotline numbers to survive and escape abuse. Victims need action plans, many need emergency funds for survival, and almost all need pro bono lawyers to help them out of abusive marriages and assist in custody cases. Many of these services are severely lacking in the states, so the cycle persists.

This month I'd like to dedicate an article to the victim. I believe there are a few things a victim can do now to start protecting themselves in an abusive situation. The most important action to take if your life is in jeopardy is to call 911. After that, I suggest:

Documentation: Wherever there's abuse, there needs to be documentation. Any way a victim can document abuse will help down the road. Whether it's in court, at the police station after an incident, later on if a victim files for medical benefits after a violence related injury or even emergency funds, a document trail will be beneficial.

If a victim is able to write a personal testimony for each crime and record all the relevant details including important facts such as time, date, injury if any, threats, pictures of injuries, and a detailed summary of the situation, it can be used as a petition for an order of protection. I suggest going someplace safe and writing these summaries beforehand so all details are carefully thought out first, then file for a restraining order using these summaries as your petition or personal statement. Get the details right! This will be a legal document and one that you can use as evidence. When going to court, use your local domestic violence shelter to find a court advocate to accompany you.

If a victim decides to call the police after a violent incident, it's imperative to give a clear, accurate statement of the crime committed to the officer. Make sure to write a detailed statement of the abuse on the police report. A police report is the most important piece of evidence of the crime. Police reports can also be amended by the victim in private, in case a he or she is too afraid to admit the abuse at a crime scene.

If a victim is too afraid to file for a protective order in court or call the police, an informational report can be made at any police station anytime. A victim or survivor can go to their local station and inform them of the abuser, his/her whereabouts, and any concerns regarding safety. This will be kept confidential. It's always good to have a record on file somewhere.

After a violence related injury, it's highly important to visit the doctor and record these injuries, privately and with caution. Victims often need medical care and therapy after abuse and each state has an office for crime victims that provides medical benefits for those that are uninsured or lack the funds for therapy or surgery. New York has its own office, the Office of Victim Services. This office will need extensive documentation and evidence of abuse in order to provide services, so I suggest starting a document trail early.

Document the abuse with your local domestic violence shelter or organization. Have an advocate help with recording the abuse, finding you a safe place to live and providing you with advocacy in court. Speak up, and let them know what you need, such as emergency funds, medical help, assistance with finding a new job after abuse, or obtaining a cell phone for safety. That's their job. As a victim, there will also be a mountain of paperwork to fill out, and shelter workers are there to assist with the entire process.

Most importantly, if you are being abused call the police. Many victims do not call the police for fear of retaliation. If you're afraid for your life, dial 911. Listen to your gut instinct. It's there to protect you. Through this all, document everything and utilize the resources around you.

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online extra: Life-saving tips in the fight against domestic violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and although it hasn't been a prominent feature in recent headlines, domestic violence still exists in the homes of many throughout the community.

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